GRIME rapper Lethal Bizzle left Walthamstow partly because his success made him a target for violence.

The 25-year-old, who has found fame with two albums and a series of collaborations, spoke to the Guardian of how increasing criminality on his home turf helped persuade him to move to a spa town in Kent.

Lethal, who grew up on the Boundary Road estate, Walthamstow, said: "Walthamstow isn't the best place in the world but when I was growing up it wasn't as bad as it is at the moment.

"There are shootings, stabbings. People weren't getting shot and stabbed back then, more like have a bit of a fight.

"But by my late teens, that's what I started to see for myself. You'd see a lot of crime, people getting into trouble and getting hurt."

He said that he loved Walthamstow but it was almost impossible to grow up on an estate here without getting drawn into a gang.

"It's like a little community and if you're not a part of the community, you're against them. You have to be part of some sort of gang to be able to go out.

"If you're not in a gang, people may see you as a target. That was one of the reasons I had to get out of there it was getting terrible. I was being seen as a target because I was someone doing well living on an estate."

Lethal performed his top 30 hit collaboration with punk band The Gallows at the NME awards last Thursday and is about to release a single with indie songstress Kate Nash, and tour next month.

He is also trying his hand at being a role model, as face of a new campaign by Transport for London to persuade youngsters between 11 and 15 to get a new Zip Oyster photocard, so they can prove their age.

Now living in rather quieter surroundings near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, the rapper added: "My main message is having a good time, it's all about the party, it's not about taking yourself to seriously."

11 to 15-year-olds need an Oyster photocard to continue using free or half rate travel privileges. Zip Oyster Photocards can be ordered from your local post office or online at www.tfl.gov.uk/zip. All orders must be in by May 10 to ensure the card is received before June 1.